And Now For Something Completely Different

I'm Launching A Lit Zine in a week

What has time away from a traditional work model taught me? Work can be fulfilling if I’m working toward something. If I work with others toward a common goal? Work can be cool. Building a garden to grow food that I can share? That rules.

Writing and playing music with a band? That is hard work, but the reward is immense. It brings me both contentment and joy, when a song feels right. Helping people develop life skills, especially soft skills, can be transformative. Seeing people find their way in a life that is determined to derail as many of as possible? Nothing better.

Writing about movies has brought me a sense of community on Substack, something I needed when I lost the other social media platforms. Why did I lose those other social media platforms (Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram, TikTok)? Well, aside from the data harvesting, those companies engaged in activity that has fostered fascism. Twitter/X is the most notable, but Meta was a huge player in both Trump elections.

These companies are working to support a dictatorship. Substack hasn’t had that impact as well, despite the fact that they still allow fascists to have a platform here. Free speech has long been a shield for hate speech, but there is a cost of hate speech. People will decry government intervention in the name of censorship, but the Paradox of Tolerance covers this well.

We cannot continue to allow platforms for hate speech. The dehumanization of people for the crime of existing must end. There may come a time when Substack is no longer a home for me as well. In fact, I know that will be true. Fascists infiltrate anything used to resist and corrupt it.

And yet, I still engage in social networking. I use discord as well. Sometimes even Bluesky, though I don’t enjoy that format as much. I prefer long form writing, I have a lot to say, even if sometimes I veer into being too verbose. Our world is filled with fascinating people who are wellsprings of information and perspective. I have grown so much by being connected to people with similar interests.

Fiction writing is an interest I have had for a long, long time. But writing takes time, honing your craft. Finding your voice. Iterating endlessly on the same story. It’s hard work. Substack has a neat feature, one that it shares with other platforms I know, but one I am looking forward to using. Collaborative publications.

So, I’m excited to annouce that I am launching a literary zine at the end of this month with a group of writers I’ve developed a rapport with. Most through reddit, some through discord and some through good old fashioned real life conversation. The name is Apophis’ Workshop. The idea of this zine is twofold, a writer’s circle that anyone can participate in AND a publication for works as they develop.

It grew out of the subreddit Destructive Readers. There are a group of dedicated writers there who also share a love of critique. Engaging with other’s work to help them grow as writers. Some are published authors, some are amateurs. All are eager to share their work with others though.

I will be sharing work there in the drafting stage, first/second/final. Sometimes the same work will get reposted after time and feedback. I have a longform story called “Fired-Side Chat” that will be debuting there. It is novellette length, not great for any form of traditional publishing, but fine for the internet. I hope you’ll check it out and the other authors.

It is separate from this publication, because they are different ideas. I will still continue to write here weekly. I am going to pivot away from as much movie content, I know that’s not what most people came here for in the beginning and I appreciate that support. I am also ready to write about current events again, but I still want to share media I encounter that I think you may enjoy. I hope I am able to make this a more comprehensive place.

That said, I am excited for a separate creative endevor. I hope you will find it interesting and will read not just what I bring to the table but what all of the other writers do. If you have a mind to write, I hope you’ll participate. We currently have four writers who should be regular contributors, all writing different genres. We hope to grow, making a space for more writers to get their work out to the world.

Maybe one day we won’t exist on Substack, but for now we will.

I haven’t said it in a while, so I’ll say it now. Thank you for being here, being a part of this journey. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read what I’ve written. The withdrawl from so many online platforms has made it hard for me to stay connected to people in a casual way. Like all things that has a positive and a negative effect. Overall, though, I think it has been good for me. Allowed me to be more intentional in all my interactions, online and off.

So thank you once again for allowing me to connect with you through this platform and I hope all of you will continue to engage with me.